What kind of preferential health insurance can people who are in the USA in different statuses count on (part one)

In the USA, there are a huge number of types of visas and immigration statuses, and, probably, no less options for health insurance. It's easy for visitors to get confused and lose money on out-of-pocket medical bills, on unfavorable insurance, or because they don't know they're eligible for benefits.

ForumDaily in partnership with a well-known New York insurance company Fidelis care prepared a series of articles on preferential health insurance policies that people with different immigration status in the United States can take out.

Notethat this data is relevant to New York State, where Fidelis Care operates. Conditions and insurance options for immigrants may vary from state to state.

Health insurance and immigration status

Whatever status you have in America, remember that by law, all New Yorkers have the right to:

1. Equal treatment in medical institutions, regardless of country of origin and language of communication.
2. Providing emergency medical care, regardless of solvency.
3. Free language assistance if needed. As a rule, hospitals and social services provide a free interpreter in the main languages ​​of communication.
4. Privacy when accessing medical services in New York City and State. When applying for health insurance, information about your immigration status may only be used to determine eligibility and not for further referral to immigration authorities and prosecution.

Note: concessional insurance available through NY STATE OF HEALTH MARKETPLACE under the Affordable Care Act (better known as ObamaCare). Green card holders, foreign workers, and students studying in New York State can purchase not only benefit programs, but also private health insurance through the NY STATE OF HEALTH MARKETPLACE. In this case, they will have the opportunity to choose the coverage and benefits they need, if they are eligible.

Requirements for purchasing private health insurance through NY STATE OF HEALTH MARKETPLACE:

• legal presence in the United States
• residence in New York State;
• lack of insurance from the employer;
• age from 19 to 64 years;
• any level of income.

All plans offered for NY STATE OF HEALTH MARKETPLACE, cover:

• ambulatory treatment;
• emergency care;
• hospitalization (if you are in the hospital for more than 24 hours, fewer hours are covered by outpatient services - point 1);
• care of pregnant women and newborns;
• mental health services and drug or alcohol addiction treatment;
• prescription drugs;
• rehabilitation services and devices (for example, physiotherapy is one of the services, and a corset is an example of a device);
• laboratory services (X-ray, computed tomography, ultrasound, etc.);
• preventive examinations or procedures;
• pediatrician services, including pediatric dentistry and ophthalmology.

Please note that insurance plans purchased through the Marketplace include:

1. deductibles (the so-called deductible - the amount that the patient must spend on medical services from his own pocket before insurance coverage begins to operate);
2. copayments (additional payment for the service/drug in addition to what is covered by the insurance);
3. payment for some services at the patient's own expense.

Below is a list of insurance plans that you can count on if you have one of these statuses in the United States:

• Work Visa;
• student visa;
• green card;
• you are a DACA recipient;
• you are in the process of changing your status and have already received an Alien number;
• you are the owner humanitarian password (parole).

Leonid Kopeikin, specialist Fidelis care (he can be consulted on тtelephone: (347) 642-2993 or e-mail: [email protected]) Pays attention, hthen most foreigners who come to the US on a work visa receive health insurance from their employer. But if he does not provide a policy or his coverage does not apply to some services, then foreign workers have the opportunity to turn to insurance companies for help.

Foreign students also first of all need to discuss insurance at the place of study. Educational institutions often offer preferential health insurance programs for foreigners.

Plans available to immigrants with a green card, work and student visa, password, DACA, or Alien number:

1. ESSENTIAL PLAN - the most basic plan on the Marketplace with minimum requirements for the applicant

In particular, the requirements for obtaining this insurance include:

• age from 19 to 64 years;
• residence in New York State;
• income below 200% of the federal poverty level. You can get acquainted with the indicators of the federal poverty level depending on the composition of the family. here to register:.

Essential plan is free insurance, but it also involves deductible or copayment.

2 CHILD HEALTH PLUS (CHP)

This is free or low-cost health insurance for children under the age of 19 living in New York State, including children of various categories of immigrants and even illegal immigrants. The status of parents does not affect the ability of children to receive insurance at all.

“The amount of insurance premiums will depend on the income of the child's family. For low-income families, insurance will be free, middle-income families pay part of the premiums; high-income families pay full contributions.” – says Leonid Kopeikin, PR specialist at Fidelis Care.

You can calculate the approximate cost of this plan for your family here.

3. MEDICAID - available to those who have legally lived in the US for at least 5 years

This plan is available to low-income adults and children who have legally lived in the US for at least 5 years. This insurance can be used to pay medical bills for treatment received within three months prior to the policy being issued.

Pregnant women (including illegal immigrants) are also eligible for this plan, regardless of how long they have lived in America.

4. MEDICAID BUY-IN - Plan for Working People with Disabilities

This is free medical insurance for people with disabilities. To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• residence in New York State;
• below average income
• age from 16 to 64 years;
• availability of work;
• disability.

To find out if you are eligible for this insurance, please visit: nystateofhealth.ny.gov

More information about each of these programs can be obtained from specialists Fidelis care. Consultation in Russian is possible. Phone: (347) 642-2993, e-mail: [email protected].

If an immigrant does not claim benefits and wants to choose a policy based on their needs and requests, then there is always the option to purchase insurance directly through the insurance company at full cost. In this case, almost no requirements need to be met. Such insurance can be bought by holders of any visas, as well as illegal immigrants.

Helpful advice from Fidelis care: сthe program will help to reduce the cost of medicines BIGAPPLERX. It applies to all immigrants, including illegal immigrants, and covers part of the cost of medicines that your insurance does not cover. Learn more on the site BigAppleRX.com or call 1-888-454-5602. BigAppleRX can be linked to the IDNYC New Yorker card and receive discounts at the pharmacy using this card.

Remember: Before choosing insurance, you should analyze your medical needs, consider which doctors you need first, and check what insurance these doctors accept.